Press Releases

House Passes President Trump’s America First Government Funding Bill
Bill Includes Big Wins for Georgia

Washington,
March 22, 2018 -
Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) today voted for and the House passed legislation to fund the federal government for the rest of fiscal year 2018. The legislation contains major conservative policy victories and includes many of Georgia’s top federal priorities.

“President Trump’s funding bill puts America First and Georgia First,” said Rep. Graves. “A key part of the president’s Make America Great Again plan was to rebuild our military. This bill delivers the largest increase in defense funding in 15 years, including the biggest pay raise for troops in eight years. Additionally, the bill makes a down payment on rebuilding our nation’s crumbling infrastructure and provides new funding to secure the border and build the wall. The bill also includes major victories for Georgia. It protects our water rights, directs critical funding toward the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project and ensures the more than 100,000 servicemembers stationed in our state get the resources they need.”

Highlights of the bill are detailed below.

Defends Georgia’s Water RightsEliminated language from the Senate bill that was intended to negatively impact Georgia’s water rights.

Rebuilds and Strengthens the MilitaryLargest rebuild and increase in military funding in 15 years, providing an additional $61.1 billionto strengthen the military, including a 2.4 percent pay raise for the troops.

Supports Georgia’s Contribution to National DefenseEnsures the more than 100,000 servicemembers stationed in Georgia get the resources they need, including:

$1.1 billion for M1 Abrams Tank upgrades as well as $744 million in upgrades to the Stryker Combat Vehicle, both of which are important capabilities for the Armored Brigade Combat Teams at Fort Stewart.

$862 million for the Ohio Class Nuclear Submarine Replacement Program, which will be located at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in Georgia.

$103 million for new wings for the A-10C Warthog, which is located at Moody Air Force Base.

$2.4 billion for 25 new C-130J aircraft, which are manufactured in Marietta, GA.

$405 million in funding for the next generation JSTARS aircraft, a critical intelligence gathering platform stationed at Robins Air Force Base.

Ensures Success of the Tax Cuts and Jobs ActProvides $320 million to ensure a smooth transition to the brand new tax code and improve services and response time for taxpayers.

Fights TerrorismProvides an additional $19 million to the Treasury Department’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence to fight terrorist financing and enforce sanctions against Iran, North Korea, Russia and Cuba.

Protects VeteransProvides the highest level of funding ever for the seven million veterans who utilize the Department of Veterans Affairs, including funds for mental healthcare, suicide prevention, homeless veterans services and opioid abuse treatment; and increases oversight of the VA.

Rebuilds National InfrastructureMakes a down payment to rebuild and improve our nation’s crumbling infrastructure, including $50 million for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.

Empowers Small Businesses and Spurs Job CreationProvides more than $700 million for the Small Business Administration to support private-sector job creation and economic growth in local communities as well as more than $12 million to help veterans start and grow small businesses.

Improves CybersecurityIncludes $100 million to begin implementation of the Technology Modernization Fund, a top priority of the Trump administration, which will help defend the country against devastating cyberattacks by hostile nations.

Invests in Cancer, Alzheimer’s and Other Disease ResearchBoosts funding for the National Institutes of Health by $3 billion for research to prevent, slow and cure diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and Diabetes.

Sets the Stage for Next Generation Wireless ServicesIncludes the historic RAY BAUM’s Act, which prepares the Federal Communications Commission for the future while ensuring rural communities like Northwest Georgia have access to 5G wireless data, as well as uninterrupted access to broadcast television and radio.

Expands Internet AccessContains more than $600 million for programs to expand internet access in rural areas like Northwest Georgia.

Reins In the EPAFreezes funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and slashes unnecessary and harmful EPA regulations, such as the rule allowing the EPA to regulate the lead content of ammunition and fishing tackle.